Dr. Schueler and the Symptom Checker

Stephen Schueler, MD, is an emergency physician, teacher, and author. Although he designed the Symptom Checker to feel like a real emergency room intake interview, it is a computer program and not a live doctor. Its recommendations should not be used as a basis for delaying, or as a substitute for, evaluation and treatment by a physician. Get more information.

Information About Breathing Difficulty

Breathing Difficulty

Breathing difficulty, or shortness of breath, is the sensation that breathing requires more effort than usual. Breathing difficulty is a common symptom of heart or lung disease. Breathing difficulty may occur at rest, during exercise, or while lying flat. Situations that trigger breathing difficulty can provide an important clue to the underlying cause.

Breathing Difficulty Symptoms

Signs of severe breathing difficulty include a rapid respiratory rate, wheezing, rib retractions, nasal flaring, and cyanosis. A person with severe breathing difficulty uses the neck and chest muscles to breathe. In someone with asthma, breathing difficulty occurs with wheezing. In someone with heart disease, difficulty breathing worsens during exercise.

Breathing Difficulty Treatment

Treatment for breathing difficulty depends on the underlying cause. Treatment for breathing difficulty may include oxygen therapy, antibiotics, diuretic medications, and inhaled medication for wheezing.